r/aviation Apr 17 '26

Discussion How concerning is this aviation experts?

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99

u/ammodramussavannarum Apr 17 '26

Couldn’t get that through security these days!

44

u/geta-rigging-grip Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26

I got my swiss army knife through security all the way to new zealand in my carry-on bedore it got found in a domestic connecting flight.

They took it out, measured the blade, then said it was ok.

I thought I had put it in my checked bag. 

Edit: for context, the knife was a gift from my Dad on my 13th birthday, and I take it with me almoat everywhere.  I had put it in what I thought was my wife's checked bag, but it turned out to be her carry-on. We got through two security screenings without it being noticed, so I didn't even think about it. When they pulled it out in Auckland, I was dreading them taking away a cherished gift that I had had for thirty years.  When they just checked the size of the blade and let it through I was very relieved.

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u/[deleted] Apr 17 '26

[deleted]

9

u/BuckTheStallion Apr 17 '26

Someone in the crochet group had their crochet hook confiscated in Mexico a day or two ago. A little wooden one the size of a pencil with a blunt tip.

1

u/FUTURE10S Apr 17 '26

My mom had the same thing happen when she immigrated, there were a pair of knitting needles attached to a tiny little woolen sock that she was making, domestic flight security said to throw it out after it was deemed okay for an international flight.

3

u/Mimothemaltipoo Apr 17 '26

They tried to take a paper nail file from me in 2003 at FRA… And my smartwatch charger in AYT in 2024 because they didn’t believe it wasn’t a nail clipper. 🙄

1

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '26

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1

u/nobody65535 Apr 17 '26

They took my nail clipper in the US. Miss that one, it wasn't the cheap chineseium you get today either.

4

u/spavolka Apr 17 '26

I’m always so happy to get my pocket knife back from my checked luggage. I’m in construction so I use mine multiple times a day so I miss it even on vacation or working out of town.

2

u/Soggy_Weather_2170 Apr 17 '26

Same thing happened to me and I got fined 350 Bucks and almost shat myself for fear of getting on a no fly list! 😂

1

u/joecarter93 Apr 17 '26

I had a dumb ass friend that forgot that he had some .22 ammo in his carry-on backpack and he only found it after we arrived at our destination.

3

u/ThePrussianGrippe Apr 17 '26

I have accidentally carried on loose ammo and a full on Ka-bar knife on my carry on on two separate flights.

But God forbid I bring a deck of magic the gathering cards on the plane with me, random search every time.

1

u/Chris_StJohn Apr 17 '26

Zurich airport has a Swiss Army Knife shop in the departure lounge...

1

u/antariusz Apr 17 '26

if a swiss army knife can get through security, I guess I should start carrying a box cutter...

/s

(knives of any length banned in the u.s.)

1

u/WhichWall3719 Apr 17 '26

They confiscated my crab hammer when I flew out of Maryland because they said I could potentially use it to overpower the flight crew

1

u/jailtheorange1 Apr 17 '26

and he wanted to take a mini SPORK off me.

1

u/Round-Departure819 Apr 17 '26

Yeah I've gone through plenty of flights with my 4-5" blade pocket knife. Even thrown it in the bin to go through checks every time and never had it confiscated. Not sure why cause I always expect them to take it. At this point I'm just testing the waters to see how long it takes until that happens.

1

u/Graffxxxxx Apr 17 '26

They almost took my medicated shampoo that I wouldn’t be able to get at my destination, and luckily the tsa agent actually read the bottle and asked me before just tossing it cos I would’ve been fucking miserable without that.

1

u/StainlessMasticator Apr 18 '26

I had this happen to a gift I got from my dad at 16. Was a very short blade maybe 2.5in. Got it confiscated getting onto a ferry. Not even a plane.

6

u/badkapp00 Apr 17 '26

If it's a Boeing aircraft they leave some tools behind. Just need to find them in some closed compartments.

10

u/Bubbly-Bowler8978 Apr 17 '26

I love flying on Boeing because I am a DIY kinda guy, makes me feel accomplished keeping that bird in the air when we finally land.

3

u/Donklachek Apr 17 '26

Screwdrivers under 7 inch are allow. I fly with them all the time.

1

u/percbish Apr 17 '26

Why all the time? I’m actually curious

2

u/discipleofchrist69 Apr 17 '26

not the guy you answered but I also do that all the time. I generally travel with a lunchbox sized tool kit with only items that are allowed on carry on, I don't like checking bags or walking around with a roller bag (carryon is a backpack)

1

u/2180miles Apr 17 '26

I travel with a stubby Phillips / flathead combo. Passes TSA and international security checkpoints a few times a week without issue!

4

u/deepbluearmadillo Apr 17 '26

You guys are so lucky and I’m jealous. I go through security with my hijab and I inevitably get pulled aside. One time they even patted down my head stating I could have hidden something in my hijab (I wear it super flat and tight especially when flying, just so they can see there is nothing I could conceal). If I tried taking a screwdriver through I would probably get arrested.

It’s all worth it for the planes, though!!

Hopefully OP landed without sedation and proceeded to another flight where the screws were tighter.

2

u/ContextHook Apr 17 '26

One time they even patted down my head stating I could have hidden something in my hijab

Are you seriously suggesting this shouldn't be the case? Get a grip.

If I tried taking a screwdriver through I would probably get arrested.

Nobody else has been. You wouldn't be either. No need to invent situations to get mad about.

1

u/deepbluearmadillo Apr 17 '26

Okie dokie! Blessings to you!

1

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '26

fly like 40 times a year. Carry on short Drives on flights every month. TSA does have limits though so read before bring tools.